212 A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
The oracles of old were thus delivered by priests dedicated to the ser-
vice of the God who was supposed to inspire them. The glare of worldly
pomp which surrounded these impostors, and the respect paid to them by
artful politicians, who knew how to avail themselves of this useful engine
to bend the necks of the strong under the dominion of the cunning, spread
a sacred mysterious veil of sanctity over their lies and abominations. Im-
pressed by such solemn devotional parade, a Greek, or Roman lady might
be excused, if she inquired of the oracle, when she was anxious to pry into
futurity, or inquire about some dubious event: and her inquiries, however
contrary to reason, could not be reckoned impious. —But, can the profes-
sors of Christianity ward off that imputation? Can a Christian suppose that
the favourites of the most High, the highly favoured, would be obliged to
lurk in disguise, and practise the most dishonest tricks to cheat silly women
out of the money —which the poor cry for in vain?
Say not that such questions are an insult to common sense — for it is
your own conduct, O ye foolish women! which throws an odium on your
sex! And these refl ections should make you shudder at your thoughtless-
ness, and irrational devotion.—For I do not suppose that all of you laid
aside your religion, such as it is, when you entered those mysterious dwell-
ings. Yet, as I have throughout supposed myself talking to ignorant women,
for ignorant ye are in the most emphatical sense of the word, it would be
absurd to reason with you on the egregious folly of desiring to know what
the Supreme Wisdom has concealed.
Probably you would not understand me, were I to attempt to shew you
that it would be absolutely inconsistent with the grand purpose of life, that
of rendering human creatures wise and virtuous: and that, were it sanc-
tioned by God, it would disturb the order established in creation; and if
it be not sanctioned by God, do you expect to hear truth? Can events be
foretold, events which have not yet assumed a body to become subject to
mortal inspection, can they be foreseen by a vicious worldling, who pam-
pers his appetites by preying on the foolish ones?
Perhaps, however, you devoutly believe in the devil, and imagine, to
shift the question, that he may assist his votaries; but, if really respecting
the power of such a being, an enemy to goodness and to God, can you go to
church after having been under such an obligation to him?
From these delusions to those still more fashionable deceptions, prac-
tised by the whole tribe of magnetisers, the transition is very natural. With
respect to them, it is equally proper to ask women a few questions.
Do you know any thing of the construction of the human frame? If
not, it is proper that you^ should be told what every child ought to know,